May 26th.
The sky was just beginning to brighten. Today it wasn’t Tokai Teio knocking at Gotham Song’s door to wake her. The reason was simple: Teio had already left Japan Central Tracen Academy three days ago.
Of course, it wasn’t for sothing strange like dropping out—she’d simply relocated temporarily near the racetrack.
With the Derby imminent, it was customary for Uma Musu to arrive early and familiarize themselves with the turf. Despite everyone’s expectations and her pride as the undefeated prodigy, Tokai Teio had beco increasingly serious and ticulous as race day approached.
Yesterday, when Gotham called her, she’d asked Teio about it. The answer she received had been unexpectedly mature:
"Because I’m not just running for myself. I’m carrying the expectations of everyone watching—and even the hopes of my rivals, too."
How should I say it? Gotham thought. Tokai Teio truly is soone deserving of admiration.
Even without their unique relationship, Gotham had good reason to attend today’s race.
The Phantom Triple Crown Uma Musu—Tokai Teio, the Monarch—was about to take her first steps toward glory.
As she left her dorm, Gotham noted that Neo Universe, who’d been secretly researching sothing lately, wasn’t joining her today. Instead, Gotham quickly noticed soone else who’d clearly been waiting for quite a while.
jiro Ramonu.
Ever since Ramonu had moved into Central Tracen’s dormitories, she’d been relentlessly seeking opportunities to appear by Gotham’s side—so frequently, in fact, that Gotham deeply suspected her identity might have been discovered. Neo Universe, however, had firmly dismissed that notion.
As Neo had bluntly put it, if Ramonu had truly confird Gotham’s identity, she would’ve imdiately dragged her back to jiro Manor.
Thus, Gotham still felt relatively confident appearing openly before Ramonu.
Perhaps this is a good start. I’ll have to face jiro Manor eventually, anyway.
Ramonu hadn’t actually waited long. Truthfully, she cared very little about Tokai Teio’s race—
Even if Teio was a rising star among Uma Musu, to Ramonu she was rely "the child of soone she knew." Nothing more.
The real reason Ramonu was here was because, for once, Symboli Rudolf had unexpectedly relaxed her vigilance.
Life at Central Tracen hadn’t exactly been easy. Rudolf knew exactly why Ramonu had returned, never once giving her a chance to act suspiciously. That ticulous workaholic had stubbornly ensured she returned every night to monitor Ramonu’s movents and prevent any incidents.
Truly maddening.
Though exasperated, Ramonu could hardly protest. All she could do was endure patiently.
Yet, surprisingly, a few days ago, Rudolf had approached Ramonu herself and asked her to take Gotham to the racetrack on the morning of the race.
Ah, Rudolf. Isn’t this a careless oversight on your part?
Hehe.
Still, Ramonu wasn’t in a hurry. After all, she had plenty of ti. Using forceful ans right now would likely end badly. She wasn’t that desperate yet. She’d already waited this long—waiting a bit longer to confirm everything carefully wasn’t a bad idea.
Without waiting for Gotham’s reaction, Ramonu boldly grasped her hand and led her down the hallway.
Gotham trembled slightly at first, startled, before quickly adjusting herself and obediently following Ramonu’s lead.
Seriously, Neo Universe—why on earth did you think it was safe for to go out alone with Ramonu-nee...?
Before Gotham could get lost in her thoughts, Ramonu lightly tapped her head.
"You’re spacing out again. What do you want for breakfast?"
"Ah... can we skip it today?"
Ramonu didn’t reply, rely smiled softly down at her.
"As a mber of jiro Manor, skipping breakfast isn’t acceptable, you know?"
"Then... Wait—when did I beco a jiro?!"
Ramonu only smiled quietly. Yet, to Gotham’s eyes, the elegant Uma Musu’s gentle expression was devoid of any warmth whatsoever—rather, it was the terrifying smile of a devil!
In the end, Gotham had no way to resist. She reluctantly ate breakfast, then dragged Ramonu to the train station.
To be precise, Gotham couldn’t actually drag Ramonu anywhere—rather, she was like a small dog walking ahead on a leash, allowed by Ramonu’s amused indulgence to guide their way onto the platform and into the train.
Still, the specifics didn’t matter as long as they reached the racetrack safely.
As long as I can find Rudolf, everything will be fine...right?
Emperor... I’ve never missed you as desperately as I do right now!
At this point, Gotham felt her respect and affection for Rudolf had skyrocketed. If that esteed Kaiser appeared before her right now, Gotham might promise her anything she wished!
Fortunately, the trip ended with tense nerves but without any serious incident.
After disembarking at the station near the racetrack, Gotham swiftly rushed into the venue without pause.
Behind her, Ramonu had beco unusually silent, only watching Gotham intently without taking any active steps.
Once they reached the waiting area for racers, Ramonu finally released Gotham’s wrist of her own accord.
Let the child enjoy herself. Ramonu had observed much on their journey. Although things were still vague, the impulse within her heart had grown increasingly strong.
This child... resembled her far too much.
Beyond re appearance, it was her aura, her deanor, the overwhelming sense of familiarity—
A replacent? Absolutely impossible. Such a feeling could only co from Twilight Song herself—only her, and no one else.
Ramonu steadied her patience. She wouldn’t impulsively disrupt everything right now. A little more ti, just a bit longer to confirm everything conclusively.
Gotham Song—the song from Gotham City, New York...
Even their nas resemble each other so closely, hehe.
Feeling Ramonu’s piercing gaze burning into her back, Gotham shuddered and quickly stepped forward into the waiting room. There she saw Tokai Teio receiving ticulous instructions from Symboli Rudolf.
Rudolf clearly couldn’t relax, repeating herself anxiously. Before Gotham arrived, Teio had remained quiet—but upon sensing Gotham’s approach, Teio’s ears perked up excitedly.
Realizing this, Rudolf smiled knowingly at Gotham before stepping outside and forcefully dragging Ramonu away, out of Gotham’s line of sight.
Stop staring, old folks! Clear the way for the younger generation. Ramonu, you’re not seriously thinking about making a move on a little filly, are you?
Rudolf Guard Unit—mobilize!
Gotham watched in amusent as Ramonu was rcilessly pulled away, noticing that Tokai Teio’s attention had also focused on the commotion outside.
Ah, she must be watching President Rudolf, right? Makes sense...
"That person—is her na jiro Ramonu? She feels kind of dangerous, doesn’t she?" Teio remarked softly.
Teio’s soft voice threw Gotham off briefly. Wait, you were watching Ramonu? Not the president? Has she beco more interesting to you than even Rudolf herself?
Gotham felt a sudden sense of unease she couldn’t quite describe clearly.
Teio tilted her head curiously. "Also, why does it seem like she’s plotting sothing against you, Gotham?"
"N-No way! Absolutely not! ...probably?"
If only it wasn’t true.
Admiring Teio’s sharp intuition, Gotham quickly changed the subject. No good could co from elaborating now anyway.
"Alright, Teio. Isn’t your race starting soon? Let’s focus on the Derby for now, okay?"
Truthfully, Teio’s generation wasn’t weak at all. Even ignoring the unpredictable Twin Turbo, there were still opponents like Nice Nature—definitely strong enough to challenge anyone.
Poor Nice Nature. Talented yet overshadowed completely by Teio. Such was the fate of competing alongside a legend.
Teio, however, brimd with confidence. Why worry? She was the undefeated prodigy determined to claim the Triple Crown without losing once, becoming the greatest Uma Musu of her generation—soone even Gotham would struggle to defeat!
Yet still...
"If only you’d entered the Triple Crown races too, Gotham. Then we could’ve settled things between us sooner," Teio sighed wistfully.
Gotham turned away, unable to respond, not wanting to ruin the mood beneath Teio’s fiery gaze.
? Entering the Satsuki Sho or Derby again... wouldn’t it feel like revisiting the beginner village at level 100?
Gotham couldn’t stomach it—even if no one else knew, she herself couldn’t tolerate that embarrassnt. At least Kikuka Sho would be new territory.
"I’m just not interested in the Japanese Triple Crown, Teio. But please be careful in today’s Derby."
Having watched from afar once before, Gotham knew exactly how despairingly events might unfold. Yet faced with Teio’s joy and unshakeable confidence, what could Gotham possibly do or say to prevent it?
All her doubts condensed into a single cautious question:
"Teio... if sothing bad were to happen today, would you regret running this race?"
Teio’s youthful face hardened briefly, mirroring the determination Gotham had seen before in Agnes Tachyon.
"Then I’ll just have to outrun any possibility of misfortune, Gotham. Don’t worry about —I’m Tokai Teio, after all!"
Nothing more could be said. Together, Gotham walked Teio toward the bright turf outside, into the light.
Today’s Derby was destined for Tokai Teio’s brilliance, the beginning of a true legend.
...
As Gotham watched from the stands, Teio surged forward spectacularly, overtaking everyone in a final burst of speed—
"The winner of the Japanese Derby is...Tokai Teio!"
Amid deafening cheers, Gotham saw the brief flicker of uncertainty in Teio’s eyes.
She finally knew exactly what to do next.
She’d accept her role as Tokai Teio’s destined rival. At the Kikuka Sho, Gotham would await the Emperor’s true coback.
Show , unyielding Emperor—whether your determination can break through storm clouds and illuminate the earth!
Vaulting lightly over the railing, Gotham ran to Teio’s side, gently taking her hand.
Together, they returned into the shadows, leaving endless cheers behind.
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